THE management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has blamed the protracted poor supply of electricity in Oyo town, Saki, Ado Awaye and environs to the protest by Iseyin community that resulted in a mob attack on its staff trying to fix the problem.
According to a statement issued by the company, “The mob action which occurred on Tuesday, 7th March, 2017, was a reaction to our withdrawal of services which was brought about by the protest action of Iseyin youths on the 20th of January, 2017.”
The statement, signed by IBEDC Head of Corporate Communication, Mrs Angela Olanrewaju, added that the youth carried out the attack after the rejection of their demand not to pay for electricity consumed since the day of the initial protest till the day IBEDC withdrew its services.
Mrs Olanrewaju noted that “During the incident, the company was forced to contact the Police Area Commander for Oyo who instructed the DPO in charge of Iseyin to protect our employees and disperse the mob.
“Unfortunately, this was not achieved as the irate youth proceeded to attack our installations. Three of our staff members had to run for safety to Iseyin police station while two vehicles were damaged.
“The drivers of these vehicles and a technical staff were then forced to reconnect the dropped J & P d-fuses. The mob also gained entrance into the control room of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at Iseyin and wounded the security personnel on duty.
“This came despite several meetings with the traditional ruler of Iseyin, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Salau Ologunebi, the Aseyin of Iseyin, a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Afeez Adeleke, Leaders and Elders of Iseyin Descendants Union and Iseyin Consultative Council to resolve the issue. The management has since reported the issue to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Council (NERC) for arbitration and mitigation of damages.”
The statement said the youth had hinged their protest on non-distribution of prepaid metres by IBEDC as well as poor power supply.
“But the claim about prepaid metres could not be true as IBEDC had just installed over 140 prepaid meters as part of our metering commitment to the area despite the fact that over 50 per cent of prepaid metres supplied to the area had been bypassed.
“The electricity supply on the 33kV Feeders (3nos) is 20 to 23 hours per day and 4 to 6 hours per day on the 11kV Iseyin Feeders (2nos). Additionally, a 33kV breaker was deployed before the end of February, 2017 to further guarantee efficient distribution of power to Iseyin, Saki, Ado-Awaye and Oyo towns.”